Recruitment & Retention Programs
Connecting Health Professionals to Communities
About the Program
South Carolina AHEC administers the state’s financial incentive programs for clinicians who practice in rural and underserved communities. South Carolina AHEC Recruitment and Retention Programs provide financial incentives to healthcare professionals who practice in rural and medically underserved areas to improve the distribution of providers statewide. We have been committed to the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals in the state through initiatives that have been ongoing and evolving for more than 40 years.
Approximately 19% of the state’s population lives in rural areas, but only 9% of the state’s dentists, 11% of nurse practitioners, 7% of physicians, and 7% of physician assistants practice in these areas. Incentive programs improve recruitment and retention in rural areas, helping address the maldistribution of healthcare providers in South Carolina.
Recruitment & Retention Programs Last Year
*Totals as of FY24, numbers subject to change
Recruitment & Retention Programs
Rural Provider Incentive Program
For primary care physicians and advanced practice professionals practicing in rural/underserved areas of South Carolina
Rural Dentist Loan Repayment Program
For community dentists practicing in rural/underserved areas of South Carolina & MUSC Dental Faculty
Rural Behavioral Health Professional Incentive Program
For licensed mental and behavioral health professionals practicing in non-urbanized areas of South Carolina
Marlboro County General Hospital Foundation Loan Repayment Incentives
For medical practitioners who practice in Marlboro County, South Carolina
Connecting Providers to Communities
"The Rural Incentive Grant Program has been an incredible blessing for me and my career as a family medicine physician. After the great accomplishment of graduating from residency I was still faced with an extensive amount of debt that accumulated from attending a private medical school. I knew that I wanted to stay and practice locally, near my residency, but unfortunately student loan repayment was not an option in the position I desperately wanted. Thanks to the Rural Physician Incentive Grant Program, I felt confident in accepting a position in an underserved area of South Carolina. I knew that the money from the grant would present an excellent way for me to continue paying off my medical school debt and still serve the community by filling the role of a much needed primary care physician. Without this grant, I may have had to pursue my career elsewhere, however, now I am blessed to be able to continue to do what I love, full scope family medicine."